Artist&#39;s compact palette



June 1, I

ARTISTS COMPACT PALETTE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Lfwz/zzce 547725, BY

Filed March 5, 1964 June 1, 1965 J..SIMS

ARTIST S COMPACT PALETTE Filed March 5, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY #1 W;

United States Patent 3,186,539 ARTISTS COMPACT PALETTE Jannice Sims, 6744 East End Ave, Chicago, Ill. Filed Mar. 5, 1964, Ser. No. 349,546 3 Claims. (Cl. 206-13) This invention relates to an artists compact palette and has for its principal object the provision of a new and improved device of this kind.

It is a main object of the invention to provide an artists compact palette which includes in addition to a flat palette upon which paints may be mixed, a container in which paint stock can be stored and maintained in workable condition for an appreciable period of time.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a compact palette a storage container formed as an integral part of the device and containing a plurality of cups for receiving paint stock, each cup being divided into two sections, which cups are removable from the container as required for cleaning and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide in an artists compact palette storage container a slidable cover which when closed secures removable cups in the container and protects the contents of those cups from rapid deterioration.

Still another object of the invention is to provide in an artists compact palette a second storage container formed as an integral part of the palette and containing a plurality of removable cups for paint solvents and brush cleaning liquids, which second container is closed by a slidable cover which when closed secures the cups in the container and protects the contents thereof from rapid deterioration.

Another object .of the invention is to provide in an artists compact palette, solvent cups which are provided with clips or handles which permit the cups to be hung over the mixing palette at the edge thereof for convenience in use.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an artists compact palette locks for securing the slidable covers of the storage containers of the palette in closed position, and latch means for securing the mixing palette in place in the device.

Further objects of the invention, not specifically mentioned here will be apparent from the detailed descriptions and claims which follow, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown by way of example, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a compact palette embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional View taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the palette shown in FIG. 1 with the containers open to show the contents thereof;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a two section cup for paint stock;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a solvent cup;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary plan view showing a solvent cup in working position; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 88 of FIG. 7, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Artists palettes heretofore have usually consisted of a fiat member containing a perforation through which the thumb of the artist can be projected to hold the palette while in use. In using a palette of this type paint has been extruded from tubes in small piles near the top edge of the palette or more nearly the center thereof and mixed with other paints and with solvent to develop a desired color of workable consistency. In a device of this kind "ice the paint stock being wholly exposed to air soon dries out and becomes unworkable.

Other prior art palettes of which I am aware have been incorporated in cases for easy transportation and to some extent to protect the paint stock by closing the case when not in use.

The present invention improves upon these prior art devices by providing a compact palette including a container in which quantities of paint stock are disposed in suitable cups. The container is provided with a cover which, when closed, protects the paint stock so as to maintain it useable for a period of time much longer than is possible with prior art devices. The compact palette of the present invention also contains a second container in which solvents for the paint, brush cleaning liquids and the like are disposed in suitable cups and the compartment is also provided with a cover which, when closed, maintains the solvent in working condition for a relatively long period of time. The compact palette also contains a removable mixing palette member upon which paint stock transferred from the stock cups may be worked to a desired color and consistency. The mixing palette may be removed for cleaning, as desired.

It is not intended that the compact palette of the present invention be held by the artist when in use but rather the palette is supported upon a suitable support adjacent the artist.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings Where in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown to consist of a base 10 which isrectangular in shape and from the rear longer edge of which sidewall members 11 and 12 project upwardly. These members, together within walls 13 and 14, define a paint stock container, walls 11, 12 and 13 containing slots into which a cover member 15 is disposed to close the container. End wall 14 may contain a key lock 16 mortised into its inner surface the bolt of which lock engages a keeper on the cover 15, not shown, to lock the container.

Upstanding from one of the shorter ends of the base 10 are sidewalls 17 and 18 which, together with a rear end Wall 19 which may be an integral part of the sidewall 12 and with a front wall 20 define a second container that is closed by a cover 21 which slides into grooves in the walls 17, 18 and 19. Front wall 20 may be equipped with a key lock 22 the bolt of which engages a keeper on the cover 21.

Fixed upon the base 10 are strips 23, 24 and 25 each of which is undercut forming with the :base 10 a groove into which mixing palette 26 is removably disposed. Turn button 27 fixed upon the base 10 overhangs the front edge of the palette 26 to secure it in place upon the base. As shown palette 26 may be square or rectangular as desired.

The base it), walls and covers of the containers and strips 23, 24 and 25 may be composed of wood, plywood for example, although the use of other material such as fiber or ha'rd'board is contemplated.

Preferably the palette 26 is composed of a metal such as aluminum although, if desired, other materials such as gloria glass, reinforced glass, fer-retype metal, or stainless steel may be substituted within the teachings of the invention. long as the material in the mixing palette is not absorbent the solvents used in mixing the paint will remain in the paint keeping it in workable condition for a longer period of time. By moving the turnbutton 27 out of the path of the palette 26 the palette can be removed from the base for easy cleaning as desired. The palette 26 is reversible, that is either of its faces may be disposed uppermost.

As will be seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, located in the first container, are a plurality of paint stock cups indicated generally at 30,. As will be seen best in FIGS, 3 and 5 each of these cups is rectangular in shapehaving a partition 31 that divides the container into two distinct sec tions each capable of receiving a quantity of paint stock. As shown, the container at the rear of the palette contains 8 cups so that a maximum of 16 different paint stocks may be accommodated at one time. The number of cups may be varied within the teachings of the invention. Each cup is readily removable from the compartment as required for cleaning and the like.

7 Located in the container at the side of the palette are plurality of solvents cups indicated generally at 32. As will be seen in FIGS. 2, 6 and 7 each cup 32 is equipped with a handle-like extension 33 which is dimensioned to fit over the sidewall 18 of the container thereby permitting the cup to be hung on the outside of the compartment in a position more convenient for use by the artist. As shown, cups 32 are cylindrical in shape and the container contains 5 of these cups. The shape and number of the solvent cups may be varied within the teaching of the invention.

With paint stock in the cup 30 closing the cover of the container has been found to protect the paint stock sufficiently to permit it to remain in workable condition for as long as a week. Closing the cover 21 over the solvents in the second container likewise protects these solvents from evaporation so as to render them useful for as long as a Week. I

From the fore-going it will be apparent that the compact palette of the present invention provides a convenient means for storing paint stock and solvents thereforin a manner that renders them convenient when it is desired to mix the paint stocks on the palette toobtain a desired color of consistency suitable for use. When necessary for cleaning or otherwise, the cups and the [mixing palette can be removed from the device thereby to facilitatecleaning the same.

While having chosen to show my invention by illustrating and describing a preferred embodiment of it, I have done so by Way of example as there are many modifications and adaptations which can be made by one skilled in the ant within the teachings of the invention.

Having thus complied with the statutes and shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, what I consider new and desire to have protected by Letters Patent is pointed out in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An artists compact palette comprising:

(a) a base, rectangular in shape;

(b) a container permanently fixed upon the upper side of said base along the rear longer edge thereof and adapted to receive a plurality of paint stock cups that rest upon the base;

(c) acover for said container for closing the same to preserv paint stock in said cups;

(d) a second container permanently fixed upon the upper side of said base along one of the shorter edges thereof and adapted to receive a plurality of solvent cups that rest upon said base; 7

(e) a cover for said second container for closing the same to preserve solvents in said cups;

(f) a lock in each container for securing the cover there- :for in place; 7 5

(g) a mixing palette; and

(h) means for removably securing said mixing palette upon said base.

2. A compact palette as specified in claim 1 in which the mixing palette is rectangular in shape andis composed of material from the group consisting of aluminum, gloria glass, reinforced glass, ferrotype metal and stainless steel.

3. A compact'palette as specified in claim 1 in which the means for securing the mixing palette upon the base includes strips fixed upon the base and overhanging the mixing palette and a turn-button fixed on the base and engaging the edge of the mixing. palette.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner. 

1. AN ARTIST''S COMPACT PALETTE COMPRISING: (A) A BASE, RECTANGULAR IN SHAPE; (B) A CONTAINER PERMANENTLY FIXED UPON THE UPPER SIDE OF SAID BASE ALONG THE REAR LONGER EDGE THEREOF AND ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A PLURALITY OF PAINT STOCK CUPS THAT REST UPON THE BASE; (C) A COVER FOR SAID CONTAINER FOR CLOSING THE SAME TO PRESERVE PAINT STOCK IN SAID CUPS; (D) A SECOND CONTAINER PERMANENTLY FIXED UPON THE UPPER SIDE OF SAID BASE ALONG ONE OF THE SHORTER EDGES THEREOF AND ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A PLURALITY OF SOLVENT CUPS THAT REST UPON SAID BASE; (E) A COVER FOR SAID SECOND CONTAINER FOR CLOSING THE SAME TO PRESERVE SOLVENTS IN SAID CUPS; (F) A LOCK IN EACH CONTAINER FOR SECURING THE COVER THEREFOR IN PLACE; NG) A MIXING PALETTE; AND (H) MEANS FOR REMOVABLY SECURING SAID MIXING PALETTE UPON SAID BASE. 